ON LIBRARIAN 2.0

McMaster University Library, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, advertised for four (!) new librarians. “These positions are new and offer the future incumbent an opportunity to be the first in a newly defined position for our organization, and in one case what may be a truly unique position! The McMaster Library is going through a very exciting transformation and we’re looking for creative, innovative risk-takers who are eager contribute to our process and to the transformation of our profession.”

Two of the positions are especially interesting.

Teaching and Learning Librarian (emphasis mine): “to lead the growth and development of its dynamic instruction and information literacy program.”

Immersive Learning Librarian (aka “Gaming Librarian”): “a creative, innovative and experienced librarian to provide leadership in establishing McMaster University Library as the premier North American academic library in the implementation of innovative, highly engaging, habitable environments for teaching and learning. This includes the development and support of educationally sound virtual worlds, simulations and games. While the position will be based at the Science and Engineering Library, the successful candidate will serve as a link between the libraries and the academic faculties involved in immersive learning environments (Engineering and Humanities). The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting ongoing research of faculty, staff and students; in collaboration with the Teaching and Learning Librarian, in facilitating the integration of library instruction into the curriculum; and in collaboration with the Digital Strategies Librarian, in providing leadership to the campus community with respect to providing access to, promoting, archiving and preserving locally produced instructional resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for conceiving, designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating innovative teaching and learning environments relevant to the campus community.”

Another good take on Librarian 2.0 is this statement by recent LIS graduate Michael Habib (School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill), quoted in ALA Techsource.

“I plan to develop online communities and services that promote the idea of digital library as place. Like physical libraries, digital libraries need to be community centers, collaborative study spaces, meeting spaces, etc. In addition, I plan to train library users to use new technologies and information resources.” At the time of this writing, Habib did not yet have a job—someone should snap him up.